Stopper or closure for insulated containers



Jam; 3, 1933. A. s. KNAPP STQPPER OR CLOSURE FOR INSULATED CONTAINERS Filed July 21, 1.930

efkyezz/or (fiiarew e5? 22 22020 Patented Jan. 3, 1933 UNHTED STATES PATENT orrice ANDREW S. ENAIP, OF ST. LOUIS, MISSOURI, ASSIGNOR TO KNAPP-MONARGH COM- PANY, OE WEBSTER CITY, IOWA, A CORPORATION OF MISSOURI STOPPER OR CLOSURE FOR INSULATED CONTAINERS Application filed July 21, 1930. Serial No. 469,365.

in a quantity of dry ice or other refrigerant may be supported from the under side of the stopper and within the container for keep-- ing the interior of the container at an even temperature for a substantially long perio of time.

Another object is to provide a carrier or basket-like formation adapted to be frictionally suspended from the stopper whereby a quantity of refrigerant or dry ice may be placed within the basket or carrier and positioned within the container when the stopper is placed within the mouth of the container.

A further object is to provide a check valve of the ordinary ball and seat type within the stopper proper for permitting the gaseous substance which accumulates with the consumption of the dry ice or other refrigerant to escape from within the container.

A further object is to provide a complete unit consisting of the stopper or closure which has means for supporting dry ice and also provides means for permitting the escape of gas from within the container to outside atmosphere. I v

With these and other objects in view my invention consists in the construction, arrangement and combination of the various parts of my device, whereby the objects contemplated are attained, as hereinafter more fully set forth, pointed out in my claims and illustrated in the accompanying drawing. Although the invention is susceptible of a variety of embodiments, it is unnecessary to fully describe and illustrate more than one in order to give a full understanding of the invention both from its structural and functional standpoints. Accordingly, I have illustrated a preferred and desirable embodiment of the invention in the accompanying drawing in which Figure 1 is a side view of an insulated container with my closure installed therein,

parts being broken away and shown in section to better illustrate the construction.

Figure 2 is a vertical sectional view through the stopper and its associated parts illustrated within the mouth of an insulated container.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 2; and

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the closure and refrigerant container in spaced apart position.

In the accompanying drawing I have used the'reference character A to indicate generally an insulated container. The insulated container A is of ordinary construction and includes an outside metal cover 10 and an inner container or jar 12 having insulating material 14 positioned between the metal cover or shield 10 and the container 12. The container 12 has. an ordinary mouth 16 which receives a cork element or stopper 18. The element 18 may be formed of cork or some other substance ordinarily used for the purpose of providing a stopper. The stopper 18 has a metal cover 20 positioned over the upper surface thereof. The cover 20 includes a downturned and crimped flange 22 whereby connection is made between the cover 20 and the cork or stopper element 18.

The stopper element 18 is formed of two different diameters as clearly shown in Figure 4. The portion having the smaller diameter is referred to by the reference numeral 24. The upper portion, which is larger, fits the mouth of the container and serves as a seal therefor.

Adapted to be supported on the portion 24 of the stopper 18 is a basket or carrier B. The carrier B includes a ring 26 having a plurality of wires 28 secured thereto. A screen 30 is mounted within the outline of the wires 28 and thus is formed a carrier or basket having a wall and a bottom. The carrier is circular in outline. The ring 26 is of substantially the same diameter as the portion 24 of the stopper 18. The ring 26 and the parts connected thereto may be frict'onally suspended from the stopper 18 by forcing the ring 26 upon the portion 24 of the stopper 18. The basket or carrier B is so arranged as to in dotted lines has been marked with the reference numeral 32. When dry ice is used within an insulated container at gas is thrown off of the dry ice as it is consumed. .In order to relieve the pressure from within the container and to permit the gas to escape, I provide a valve mechanism C. The valve C includes a sleeve 34, which is pressed into a circular opening formed in the stopper 18. The sleeve 34 includes a small opening 36 and a much larger one 38. Between the openings 36 and 38 there is formed a shoulder or seat 40' for a ball member 42. The opening 38 near its upper end is screw threaded as at 44 for receiving a plug 46. The plug 46 is provided with a small discharge opening 48. The plug 46 retains a ball 42 within the sleeve 34. The ball 42 forms a seal for the passageway 36 in one direction and yet permits gas to escape upwardly from the container.

It will be noted that I have provided a complete device mounted entirely upon the stopper or closure for an insulatedcontainer whereby a refrigerant may be carried and inserted within the container. The term .dry ice which is now a known and commercial product, has been used to denote a refrigerant. Dry ice, as it is consumed, throws off a gas. This gas brings up a pressure. The gas is not harmful to any foods which may be placed within the insulated container although it is necessary that the gases escape to relieve pressure. The valve mechanism C permits the pressure caused by the creation of gas to escape from the container. The stopper may be removed from the mouth of the jar by the handle 50.

The device may be used as an ordinary insulated container Without the carrier B. The carrier B serves as a convenient way of supporting dry ice within the'container. In-

sertion of the stopper with the carrier thereon into the mouth of the container completes the device for use as a cooler with dry ice therein.

I have found in actual use of my device that it is very convenient and serves satisfactorily as a means for maintaining a cool temperature within an insulated container.

Some changes may be made in the construction and arrangement of the parts of my device without departing from the real spirit and purpose of my invention, and it is my intention to cover by my claims, any modified forms of structure or use of mechanical equivalents, which may be reasonably included within their scope.

I claim as my invention:

1. A closure for an insulated container comprising a closure element having a check valve therein, a carrier frictionally secured maintain an even temperature within the container for a substantially long period of time, said valve permitting ready escape of gaseous substances which accumulate as the refrigerant is consumed.

' 2. A closure for an insulated container comprising a closure element having a check valve therein, a perforated carrier secured to the underside of the closure element for supporting and receiving a refrigerant whereby placing the closure element in the mouth of an insulated container will cool and maintain an even temperature Within the container for a substantially long period of time, said valve permitting ready escape of gaseous substances which accumulate as the refrigerant is consumed.

3. The combination with an insulated container and a stopper therefor, of means for carrying a refrigerant on the stopper so as to be positioned Within the container and continuously operable check valve means for permitting gas which accumulates as the refrigerant is. consumed to escape from within the container, said means preventing the return of air to the container.

4. The combination with an insulated container and a sto per therefor, of means for supplying a re rigerant positioned within the container and continuously operable check valve means for permitting gas which accumulates as the refrigerant is consumed to escape from within the container, said means preventing the return of air to the container.

5. The combination with an insulated container and a stopper therefor, means for supporting a quantity of dry ice on the underside of the stopper and continuously operable check valve means for permitting the gas that accumulates with the consumption of the dry ice to escape from within the container, said means preventing the return of air to the container.

6. The combination with an insulated container and a stopper therefor, of means for supporting a refrigerant within said container and continuouslyoperable means to permit ready escape of" gas; which accumu-. lates as the refrigerant is consumed; from said container to atmosphere, said means being also operable to prevent the return of air to said container.

ANDREW s. KNAPP. 

